Seeing the thick, black clouds sweeping across the Oklahoma plains from the west, Alesha agreed. “Let’s cut through Mr. Day’s pasture; it’s faster. Just watch your step. There are some deep holes and pits out here.”

“Eh, there’s nothing to worry about,” said Megan. But halfway through the pasture, her foot slipped into a deep hole. There was nothing she could grab to stop her fall. Megan fell and as she did she twisted her ankle so severely that she screamed out in agonizing pain. It all happened so quickly that Alesha was unable to prevent her fall. “Are you okay, Megan? Can you get up?”

Frighten Megan tried to get up on her feet. When she stood up and put pressure on her feet, she fell in nerve shooting pain. A kind of pain she had never experienced until now. “Alesha, I think it’s broken! I think my ankle is broken! It hurt so bad!”

“Come on Megan! You have to get up. You have to get on your feet. You can’t stay here. You have to use my shoulder,” Alesha said.

“No, I can’t! I can’t!” said Megan now agonizing in pain. “Alesha, you have to go and get help. Please, Alesha go now! Please!”

Megan hated to see her best friend leave but she knew Alesha couldn’t get her out of danger without help—maybe medical help. Feeling exhausted, Megan plead with Alesha to go and get help. Reluctantly, Alesha left Megan to go get her friend help as the weather worsened. Every minute seemed like an eternity to Megan as her ankle began throbbing and the pain increasing each time she moved.

Now the rain intensified, the sky darkened and the wind picked up. “I can’t hold on. I’m gonna die here,” thought Megan. “Almighty Father, if I’m gonna die, forgive me of my sins,” as she started to cry. She thought that worsening weather would make it impossible for anyone to find her in the bad weather. The rain now beat down on her and the open field quickly filled with falling rain.

But then she heard a droning noise, and then tiny voices. This time it was no mistake. The voices were getting louder! Megan’s leg seemed to find a little bit of energy, and through her pain screamed, “Over here! Here I am! Here I am!”

“Megan!” screamed Alesha.

“Over here!” gasped Megan. Mr. Day, the owner of the property, Alesha and two ambulance workers slowly make their way to Megan. Soon everyone assembled around Megan. Crying Megan was carefully lifted and placed on a medical board and blankets place around her. Although she was in safe hands, Megan tried to get her teeth to stop chattering and her body to stop shaking.

I thought I was done until I heard you coming. I prayed to God for protection and strength. All at once strength came to me that I never had at any time.”

It’s amazing what God, His grace and what hope can do when you call on Him,” said Mr. Day. The rain stopped mysteriously. Mr. Day pointed to a bright rainbow that had dropped between the clouds. “Isn’t that why God sent those? Hope.” Megan nodded and shivered.

“Gosh, I wish there would have been an easier way for God to teach what hope can do,” said Megan.

Hope is one of the rewards of faith that is seldom discussed by Christians. However, it is one of the more needed virtues. Anticipating or looking forward to life with Christ in majesty and glory is hope. Without hope life is without purpose and meaning and not worth living. Without hope, there is nothing to look forward to so that to fill one’s life so many turn to one’s life and how much consumption of things to make up for a lack of a life hereafter with the Lord. Instead, a person void of hope seeks to fill their life with things and pleasures—in other words hedonism (pleasure seeking).

Try this exercise. List some coming events that you are looking forward to:

1. __________________________________________

2. __________________________________________

3. __________________________________________

4. __________________________________________

5. __________________________________________

6. __________________________________________

7. __________________________________________

8. __________________________________________

9. __________________________________________

10. __________________________________________

If you can’t think of enough or any, plan something to look forward to. Keep this list in mind and see if they improve your outlook when you’re in a bad mood. I bet it will raise your spirits and bring you joy!

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW